Shaurya Sharma
Fatehgarh Sahib. May.12, 2020: To celebrate the Sirhind Fateh Divas, SGPC started Akhand Path Sahib at historical Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib today. Bhai Harpal Singh head granthi Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib performed the “ Ardas” to start the path and the bhog of Akhand Path Sahib will be performed on 14th May. Bhai Harpal Singh said that due to COVID-19 threat it will be a low key affair and there will be no traditional Khalsa march being taken out from Chapar Chiri to Sirhind. He appealed to the Sangat not to come to Gurudwara Sahib rather they can watch the live telecast online or on certain TV channels.
Giving the details he said that Guru Gobind Singh took the martyrdom of his innocent younger sons Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh as well as his revered mother Mata Gujri ji at Sirhind in 1704 at the behest of the then Mughal Governor Wazir khan with utmost seriousness and concern. At that time Guru Gobind Singh Ji camped at Nanded, popularly known as Hazoor Sahib situated in Maharashtra. From there in 1708, he dispatched Madho Dass Bairagi, now popularly known as Banda Singh Bahadur, to Punjab with the mission of putting an end to the Mughal tyranny in Punjab. He was handed over a ‘Hukamnama’ by Guru Gobind Singh, directing his devotees to follow him.
As Baba Banda Singh Bahadur crossed Delhi, Guru Sahib’s ‘ Malwai and ‘ Mujhail’ devotees joined his force in thousands. The force via Sonepat, Kaithal, Samana, Shahbad, Kapuri and Chhat Banur finally camped at Chappar Chiri village 12 miles from Sirhind. On 12th May 1710, Mughal Governor Wazir Khan marched to Chappar Chiri to challenge the forces of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and was decisively defeated by the Sikh forces. On 14 May 1710, the victorious Sikh force under the leadership of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur took over the control of Sirhind. Hence, this day is known as ‘ Sirhind Fateh Diwas’.